R Kelly prison sentencing updates: Artist sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking, racketeering

Sonia, a victim of R Kelly’s abuse and testified in court, praised the singer’s imprisonment.

In an interview with Los Angeles Times After the ruling, Sonya, whose last name was not revealed to protect her identity, said she had been intimidated by people in the singer’s circle for years.

She said, “I’ve been followed, I’ve been contacted at networking events. It’s happened a few different times.”

On each occasion, she says she immediately turned away from the person who was talking to her and “goed off the grid for a few days”.

“Thirty years is the case for me,” she said.

“I’ve had this for nearly two decades. I’m very happy with that sentence. Very happy.”

R Kelly’s victims said the 30-year prison sentence handed to the singer, while cheering her, “is not enough.”

“Personally, I don’t think that’s enough, but I’m happy about it,” said the accused, Lizette Martinez.

Another victim, Jovante Cunningham, who first met Kelly at age 14, said his abuse spanned 30 years and “30 years is what he got”.

Out of court, Ms Cunningham said: “There has never been a day in my life when I actually believed the justice system would come for black and brown girls.”

Ms Cunningham, who was Kelly’s former backup dancer, added that she “certainly cried” when the verdict came and felt “overwhelmed”.

Steve K. Francis, the acting associate executive director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) who announced the sentencing of R. Kelly, described the singer as a “prolific serial predator.”

“Robert Kelly is a prolific serial predator who has used his wealth and fame to prey on the young and vulnerable by hanging on the promises of fame, fortune, and stardom for his own sexual gratification. Over the course of nearly thirty years, Kelly and his associates have silenced their victims through bribery, intimidation, extortion, and physical violence, they trust that they are immune to justice.”

“Today’s sentence is a victory for survivors of Kelly’s abuse. These brave women and men, despite threats to their personal safety, have come forward and had to relive the pain of the most traumatic days of their lives to tell the truth and make their voices heard.”

R Kelly will face another trial, this time in federal court, beginning in August.

On August 15, R. Kelly will go to trial for possession of child sexual abuse photos. This will be the second time he has faced charges related to child sexual abuse images.

He was previously acquitted in 2008 on similar charges.

Kelly pleaded not guilty.

R Kelly faces a potential quarter-century in prison.

What drove R Kelly to this point, and what is the context surrounding his arrest, conviction, and eventual sentencing?

The Independent Graeme Massie explores and explains the circumstances and crimes that led R Kelly to rule the day.

Seven women who were abused by R Kelly on Wednesday spoke out during the sentencing hearing, recounting the pain they dealt with as a result of the singer’s crimes.

One victim said during the hearing, with each addition of a new victim, she grew in evil, arrogance, and diminished any form of humanity or self-awareness.

Gina Amatoli has more victims in the story below:

R&B singer R Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on sex trafficking and extortion charges.

Read more in the story below:

R Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, told Law and Crime that the singer’s 30-year sentence is an “abuse” of prosecution.

Watch his comments in the clip below:

Lizette Martinez, an R Kelly abuse survivor who made a victim impact statement during her sentencing hearing, said the singer kept her as a “sex slave.”

“Personally, I don’t think that’s enough, but I’m happy with that,” she told reporters after the ruling.